Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Eldest of three brothers (Merv and John) who served in WWII, Lieutenant Francis David Rutherford (Service Nos:401176/QX6330) initially enlisted in the Militia on 27 May 1935 and served with 5 Field Brigade as a Gunner and Driver. Appointed to a Commission on 1 July 1940, Lieutenant Rutherford was attached to 8th Division Artlllery on 15 July 1940 when he enlisted in the AIF. Lieutenant Rutherford was attached to 2/10 Field Regiment on 2 February 1941 when he embarked with his Unit from Sydney for Singapore on board the Queen Mary. Reported as Missing on 13 April 1942, Lieutenant Rutherford was confirmed as a PoW held by the Japanese on 11 April 1943 - according to the International Red Cross (NAA) on 3 March 1945 he was 'in good health interned Fukuoka Camp'. Recovered from the Japanese at Mukden PoW Camp on 30 March 1945, Lieutenant Rutherford embarked from Manila for Sydney on 20 November 1945 on board the Formidable, and was attached to 2/10 Field Regiment at Termination of Appointment on 28 November 1945.

Frank was born in Brisbane QLD in 1917, second of four children of John David Rutherford (b1892 in Brisbane, QLD) and Caroline Le Breton (b1893 in Brisbane, QLD). John (a Plumber) and Caroline married in 1915 in Brisbane, where theys ettled and raised their fmaily and John worked as a Plumber and Motorman.

Frank served with the Senior Cadets, and was a Storeman and Packer in Brisbane when he enlisted in the Army, In 1941 in Brisbane Frank married Veronica Stella Tucker (b1918 in Brisbane, QLD). Following his Discharge from the Army, Frank and Veronica settled at Woolooga via Gympie, where they raised their family and Frank was a Grazier. In the late 1950's they moved to Tipton via Dalby, where Frank was a Farmer before settling in Dalby where he was a Storekeeper and Mechanic. Frank and Valerie retired to Bribie Island - Veronica died in February 2004 and Frank in September 2004.